Joey Barton believes the 11 gay footballers in the Premier League, alluded to by Max Clifford who said he’s enforced injunctions on behalf of players scared of their sexuality becoming publicly known, have not come out because, “certain managers will discriminate,” echoing the sentiment expressed by Brian Clough, who managed Justin Fashanu: ““Where do you go if you want a loaf of bread?’ I asked [Fashanu]. ‘A baker’s, I suppose.’ ‘Where do you go if you want a leg of lamb?’ ‘A butcher’s.’ ‘So why do you keep going to that bloody poofs’ club?'”
A lot can be said of that quotation alone: “bloody poofs’ club” displays a clear disdain for homosexuality, through the use of the expletive “bloody” and the use of “poof” a slang word, is defined as an offensive known used to describe an effeminate or homosexual man. Yet, in the 21st century, why is such homophobia – defined as the irrational fear and hatred of those who love and sexually desire those of the same sex – prevalent?
Well, as blogger Rob Casey implies in his January 19th piece, it comes down from the top and right the way through to the bottom, when he says that FIFA are, “clearly in tune with the average football fan: In the 1970s.”
Yet, what more is to be expected of FIFA?
Unlike general society, which has an active thought control process – what Orwell would call Newspeak – enforced by the government and more commonly known as PC, football seemingly delicately avoids the wrath of PC with a deft touch, clever feint and swift step-over.
Whilst there is a precedent set for equal rights and respect in wider society, the precedent for behaviour in football is set by its president Sepp Blatter, and in this case, it is neatly summed up with this quote, “[homosexual fans] should refrain from any sexual activities [in Qatar – the hosts of the 2022 World Cup.]”
Of this topic, the president – also infamous for suggesting female footballers should wear snugger clothing, “Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball – they could, for example, have tighter shorts,” choosing to mark females with the definite article “the,” – went on to state that “there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings, being on this side or that side, left or right or whatever.”
His failure to directly address homosexuals, instead circling the issue, “this side or that side, left or right or whatever” purely emphasizes the taboo nature of the topic: the president can’t even muster the respect to recognise gay fans and his separation of fans, “left or right” reeking of segregation, is only further strengthened in its ignorance with his uttering of “whatever” a word famed for its careless connotations. Much like Sepp Blatter.
Now, it is a chance for two of football’s most influential organisations of the British game to galvanise in adversity and empower those who need it.
The F.A., often lambasted for its wrongdoings, rather than praised for its achievements, are on to something: they have the ability to break the third taboo of a unholy trinity that is astutely recognized by Former basketball star turned gay rights campaigner John Amaechi: “Football is clearly not that comfortable with women in board rooms. They’re clearly not that comfortable with black people in management positions. And so, when it comes to gay people, that just blows their mind.”
Well, despite the best attempts of Paul Jewell, Richard Keys and Andy Gray, the taboo of women’s place in football is successfully being tackled; thanks to the successes of Charlton manager Chris Powell, black people wishing to manage can be inspired to do so with an appropriate role model; and now, with the help of FIFA – an organisation in desperate need of improving it’ image – The F.A. can satisfy the ethos of the PFA’s latest campaign, raising awareness of homophobia, “we are all winners – football is committed to tackling homophobia.”
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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